Patents by Inventor Michimasa Obana

Michimasa Obana has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10986264
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, an image sensor, an information processing device, and a program that facilitate cancellation of a locked state. An image processing device includes: a detection unit that detects a predetermined state, using data from a plurality of sensors; and an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined object, in a case where the predetermined state is detected by the detection unit. The image processing device further includes a plurality of input interfaces that input the data from the plurality of sensors. When an application processor switches from an activated state to a non-activated state, detection by the detection unit is started. The present technology can be applied to a smartphone, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Ejiri, Masayuki Tachi, Yusuke Minagawa, Teruhiko Mochizuki, Nobuyuki Asakura, Michimasa Obana, Hisashi Nishimaki
  • Publication number: 20190158730
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, an image sensor, an information processing device, and a program that facilitate cancellation of a locked state. An image processing device includes: a detection unit that detects a predetermined state, using data from a plurality of sensors; and an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined object, in a case where the predetermined state is detected by the detection unit. The image processing device further includes a plurality of input interfaces that input the data from the plurality of sensors. When an application processor switches from an activated state to a non-activated state, detection by the detection unit is started. The present technology can be applied to a smartphone, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JUN EJIRI, MASAYUKI TACHI, YUSUKE MINAGAWA, TERUHIKO MOCHIZUKI, NOBUYUKI ASAKURA, MICHIMASA OBANA, HISASHI NISHIMAKI
  • Patent number: 8774603
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes reproduction control means for controlling reproduction of a first parameter in order to reproduce an edit applied to a first image, generation means for generating a second parameter from a plurality of first parameters reproduced by the reproduction control means, and edit means for editing the first image based on the second parameter generated by the generation means, and generating a second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Miyake, Kei Hiraizumi, Yoshinori Takagi, Masato Akao, Yasunobu Node, Yoshihito Fujiwara, Kazutaka Ando, Naoki Kobayashi, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Masanori Machimura, Toru Nakagawa, Yusuke Kajio, Yasuhiro Fujimori, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8701154
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a user-information analyzing unit which analyzes user information and calculates a variation in parameter. A procedure selecting unit classifies, based on the calculated amount, the user into a predetermined group, and acquires, from a procedure database, a procedure corresponding to the group of the user. A basic part producing unit records, in a product's ROM, various set values. Based on the result of analysis by the user-information analyzing unit, a unique part producing unit records an initial parameter value in the product's ROM. A system controller controls a storage unit to store a characteristic amount extracted by an image-characteristic-amount extracting unit and setting conditions on the image processing which are supplied from a remote control signal receiving circuit so that both are associated to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Hideo Nakaya, Masaaki Hattori, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Yasushi Tatehira
  • Patent number: 8494216
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a tracking unit to track a predetermined point on an image as a tracking point, to correspond with a first operation. The image processing device also includes a display control unit to display tracking point candidates, which are greater in number than objects on the image and fewer than the number of pixels of the image, on the image, at an equidistant spacing. Further the image processing device includes a setting unit to set one of the tracking point candidates as a tracking point on a next frame of the tracking unit, in response to an instruction of the one of the tracking point candidates during a display of the tracking point candidates at the equidistant spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Michimasa Obana
  • Patent number: 8401302
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature quantity extraction unit configured to extract a feature quantity from an image, a setting unit configured to set setting information including a plurality of setting items used to perform processing upon the image so that a designated setting item can be changed among the setting items; and a recording unit configured to associate the setting information with a feature quantity of the image and record them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Machimura, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masato Akao
  • Patent number: 8311267
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain feature quantities of an image; and a detector configured to detect a gazing point at which a user gazes within the image, wherein the gazing point detected by the detector among the feature quantities obtained by the obtaining unit or the feature quantities extracted from the image in a predetermined range containing the gazing point is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Miyake, Kei Hiraizumi, Yoshinori Takagi, Masato Akao, Yasunobu Node, Yoshihito Fujiwara, Kazutaka Ando, Naoki Kobayashi, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Masanori Machimura, Toru Nakagawa, Yusuke Kajio, Yasuhiro Fujimori, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20120057793
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature quantity extraction unit configured to extract a feature quantity from an image, a setting unit configured to set setting information including a plurality of setting items used to perform processing upon the image so that a designated setting item can be changed among the setting items; and a recording unit configured to associate the setting information with a feature quantity of the image and record them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Machimura, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masato Akao
  • Publication number: 20120057845
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a selection section to select frames of thumbnail targets, as thumbnail frames, from a moving image including frames continuous in terms of time; a division section to divide the selected thumbnail frames in units of pages each including thumbnail frames continuous in terms of time; a reproduction speed input section to receive a designation of a reproduction speed of the moving image; a reproduction processing section to reproduce the moving image at the designated reproduction speed; and a thumbnail display processing section to display thumbnail images in the units of pages including a latest thumbnail image with a thumbnail image of a thumbnail frame closest to a time of day of the reproduced moving image as the latest thumbnail image, and display the thumbnail images that include at least the latest thumbnail image and are continuous in a time sequence in a distinguishable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michimasa Obana, Hiroshige Okamoto, Masashi Ota
  • Patent number: 8086587
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus searches search target frame images in video data to find a frame image matching a search query frame image. An extractor extracts characteristic quantities expressing the characteristics of respective images. A reliability judge judges the reliability of the values of each characteristic quantity in a characteristic quantity group extracted from the search query frame. If certain characteristic quantity values in the search query frame are judged to be of low reliability, the converter converts those values into predetermined values. Values are similarly converted for all search target frames. A comparer compares the converted characteristic quantities in the search query frame to the converted characteristic quantities in all search target frames. On the basis of the comparisons, a decision unit then chooses a search solution frame that matches the search query frame. In so doing, search processing robustness with respect to data variance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michimasa Obana, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8082216
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: strength estimation means for calculating an operation frequency for each predetermined time period from an operation history, and estimating a time period of the operation frequency which exceeds a predetermined value as a time period over which the user has a strong desire to adjust; detecting means for calculating, from the operation history, an operation frequency for each function of the electronic apparatus of the operation history in a time period corresponding to the time period of the strong desire to adjust estimated by the strength estimation means, and detecting a feature of the adjustment operation made by the user for the function of the electronic apparatus, the feature corresponding to the operation frequency for each function of the electronic apparatus; and determination means for determining a function, desired by the user to adjust, of the electronic apparatus, the function corresponding to the feature detected by the detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michimasa Obana, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8077978
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature quantity extraction unit configured to extract a feature quantity from an image, a setting unit configured to set setting information including a plurality of setting items used to perform processing upon the image so that a designated setting item can be changed among the setting items; and a recording unit configured to associate the setting information with a feature quantity of the image and record them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Machimura, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masato Akao
  • Patent number: 8073274
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature value extraction unit adapted to extract a feature value from an image, a setting unit adapted to set setting-information defining a process to be performed on the image, an editing unit adapted to edit the setting-information set by the setting unit, and recording unit adapted to record the setting-information edited by the editing unit, in association with the feature value of the image, on a data recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Hiraizumi, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
  • Patent number: 8068672
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature value extractor configured to extract a feature value from an image; a setting unit configured to set setting information for applying a process to the image; and a recorder configured to record the setting information in association with the feature value of the image in a data recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Node, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Kel Hiraizumi, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
  • Publication number: 20110286720
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a storage to store video data including a plurality of frames and feature frame information related to a feature frame including a predetermined video feature among the plurality of frames; a reproduction unit to reproduce the stored video data; an operation reception unit to receive a search operation of a user instructing to perform fast-forward or rewind of the reproduced video data at an arbitrary speed; and a controller to extract, when the search operation is received, a predetermined number of candidate frames from a frame at a time point the search operation is received, sort a plurality of frames between which the feature frame is not interposed from the candidate frames, extract a partial image from different parts of the plurality of sorted frames, generate a coupling frame by coupling the partial images in time series, and control to reproduce the coupling frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michimasa Obana, Hiroshige Okamoto, Masashi Ota
  • Patent number: 7856145
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an image capturing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus is configured to capture an image including an object, to obtain status information of the object, and to record the image and the status information of the object. The image processing apparatus is configured to specify details of a modification to be applied to the image according to the recorded image and status information of the object, to set setting information for modifying the image on the basis of the details of the modification, to extract a feature value from the image, and to record the setting information in a setting-information recording medium in association with the extracted feature value of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
  • Patent number: 7853083
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature value extractor extracting a feature value from an image; a setting unit setting setting information for applying a process to the image; a recorder recording the setting information in association with the feature value in a data recording medium; a synchronizing unit synchronizing the feature value in the recording medium with the extracted feature value; a reader reading, when the feature value in the recording medium is synchronized with the extracted feature value, setting information recorded in association with the synchronized feature value from the recording medium; a reflecting unit reflecting the process applied to the image on the basis of the read setting information; a display image generator generating a display image by combining an object indicating the read setting information with the processed image; and a selector selectively supplying the setting information to the reflecting unit or the display image generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michimasa Obana, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7814039
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing device which learns operations made by a user without the user knowing, and which can perform processing optimal to the user based on the learning results. At a learning unit 22, operating signals supplied according to user operations are monitored, and judgment is made whether or not these can be used for learning. In the event that the operating signals are learning operating signals which can be used for learning, the learning unit 22 learns a correction norm which is the norm for correcting input signals, based on the learning operating signals. On the other hand, at a correcting unit 21, post-correction signals, wherein the input signals are corrected based on the correction norm obtained by learning, are output as output signals. The present invention can be applied to an NR (Noise Reduction) circuit which removes noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 7810128
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, including a user-information analyzing unit which analyzes user information and calculates a variation in parameter. A procedure selecting unit classifies, based on the calculated amount, the user into a predetermined group, and acquires, from a procedure database, a procedure corresponding to the group of the user. A basic part producing unit records, in a product's ROM, various set values. Based on the result of analysis by the user-information analyzing unit, a unique part producing unit records an initial parameter value in the product's ROM. A system controller controls a storage unit to store a characteristic amount extracted by an image-characteristic-amount extracting unit and setting conditions on the image processing which are supplied from a remote control signal receiving circuit so that both are associated to each other. The present invention may apply to television receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Hideo Nakaya, Masaaki Hattori, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Yasushi Tatehira
  • Patent number: 7684635
    Abstract: A signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. An object which is moving at a movement amount v in the horizontal direction is photographed, and an image wherein the object is blurred is input into a signal processing device. A continuity setting unit supplies the movement amount v of the object to an actual world estimating unit as continuity information. The actual world estimating unit estimates a pixel value for an image without blurring, by computing a normal equation comprising a model equation which models the relation of the pixel values in the input image and the pixel values in an image without blurring according to the movement amount v, and a constraint condition expression which constrains between the pixels in an image without blurring, and supplies this to an image generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru